Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Public vs Private [was Takoma Village Has a New Face Book Page!

[Kathryn McCamant (kmccamant]

I appreciate Raines addition to this discussion, and whole heartedly agree that 
the most direct benefit of some public presence (whether that is Facebook or 
just giving regular tours) is finding buyers who appreciate what our 
communities have to offer for future home availability  (whether that is a 
renter or a buyer).

Also, talk to some of the newer or forming communities, and you'll learn how 
much visiting existing communities inspired them. Seeing is believing! 

But these days, I think there is another, less direct benefit, for opening up 
our communities in whatever way residents can handle.... we live in a world 
that seems to believe people can't work out conflict in civil discourse. The 
idea that neighbors could work together to create a better neighborhood that 
also makes us better people and more active in the world around us is RADICAL!  
Eat dinner together.....amazing!  Most Americans don't believe it is even 
possible, let alone desirable, to live the way we live in cohousing.  I believe 
every cohousing community is a beacon of light that people can work together to 
create more than we can do alone, and I've seen how this inspires 
people...whether that is to create their own cohousing community or to start a 
dinner club in their existing neighborhood, or just to know it is possible. 

In my own community, I try to be very conscious of people's sensitivities and 
not to over use it. And I am ultimately an introvert myself, so the last thing 
I want to do on a weekend  is explain how it all works. But I am very grateful 
for every community that is willing to take the time to offer tours and open 
their doors to show it is possible. We get so much news on facebook these days, 
is great to see working communities out there in addition to all the worldly 
disasters. (Think of it as part of the Resistance.)

And if you want to get those millenials to buy into your community (they are 
starting to buy homes), you'll need a facebook presence or they may never even 
know you exist. You might want to talk about what is appropriate to post, but 
personally, I'd love to see a lot more from existing communities on FB that 
counters all the propaganda the American public is bombarded with that a 
bigger, nicer house/kitchen/bathroom will bring me happiness.

Katie 
-- 
Kathryn McCamant, President
CoHousing Solutions and Nevada City Cohousing
Nevada City, CA 95959
T.530.478.1970  www.cohousing-solutions.com